Little Star // a Steve Rogers, Captain America, Avengers story

There's Been a Development

Driving home from Aprillia the next day, Ellie asked Steve if Tony would be leaving the place empty now. He pointed out that it was never empty, with nearly fifty staff always on site, if not in sight. There was a five storey underground bunker beneath the tennis courts and barns that was used for Stark research and development. As for the residence itself, he didn't know what was in store.

"I think it would be better for the community if someone were there. The last tenants weren't particularly liked, but they hosted fantastic fundraisers and galas, and raised millions for some very good causes. Although I suppose that was all thanks to Tony as well." Steve nodded.

Steve couldn't stay. He had an important appearance in New York the next day followed by a busy week planning and executing a mission. When she asked what kind of appearance, and if she might see him on tv (she didn't mind watching the PR stuff) he said it was something Pepper had arranged, something out of the public eye. Ellie never asked about upcoming missions; she honestly didn't want to know, but she was always willing to listen after the fact.

Hoping to see one another in two weeks' time, they said a sweet goodbye and Steve rode away. Ellie collected the paperwork for her return to work the next day, took a long soaking bath, and finally sank into her own bed for a marathon thirteen-hour sleep – without the need for any of Tony's concoctions.

As school resumed after spring break, change was in the air. Warmer weather and blue skies meant boys in shorts and girls  in sundresses, sweaters tied around the waist in case of a chill. Windows were cracked, letting birdsong and the sound of the breeze as it rushed through budding trees into the classrooms. Ellie realized she could actually feel the happy energy around her. It was exhilarating, but disconcerting as well. She needed to meet with Tony and the medical team again soon.

Unable to discuss her momentous weekend with any of her friends at work, not even Alex or Kate, with whom she usually shared the highs and lows of her life, was frustrating. She purposefully avoided speaking to Kate, who would know in moments that something very important had happened. Maybe she could come for dinner and Ellie would confess the more personal aspects of the long weekend. He best friend might be so distracted by that information that the rest could remain unmentioned.

Reading her students seemed largely unchanged, and work went on as usual for most of the week. It was strangely refreshing to be focused on the world of lost parents, turbulent teenage relationships, and low self-esteem. She knew how to help these children.

And then, as she sat in the lunchroom teeming with students and faculty, something happened that caused her to drop her sandwich. Somewhere nearby was a pulse of feeling that was unlike any she'd felt before. It had no distinct emotion; it just was. Looking around her she tried to find a likely source but saw none. With a deep breath she attempted to scan the room, hoping to locate it, but not knowing if that was in her skillset.

It was. Two tables over, sitting quietly between her chatting friends, was a girl Ellie recognized from the cheerleading squad and last fall's homecoming court. She was very confused, sad, and afraid. The featureless emotion was also coming from the girl, but not from her own brain. It only took a moment to understand. The girl was pregnant, and Ellie could read the baby growing inside her.

Shaken, Ellie quickly left the lunchroom, went to her office, and locked the door behind her. Not knowing what else to do, she called Happy.

"Miss Morris, how can I help you today? Anything you need. Except to tell you where your boyfriend is and what he's doing."

"Oh, I forgot about the mission. I was really hoping to talk to Tony, but I'm sure he's busy too. There's been a development in my skills."

"Still can't bring yourself to call them powers?"

"No."

"Well, it just so happens that not everyone goes on every mission. I can connect you to Tony. Take care, Tiny."

Not even a heartbeat later he was on the line.

"Something new, Ellie? What kind of something?"

"How? He didn't have time to tell you that!" She heard a chuckle in the background. "You're sitting right next to each other, aren't you?"

"Yet again your powers of mental acuity are proved. Seriously, though, isn't it the middle of the workday for you? What's got you making a personal call?"

"Tony, I felt an unborn child today. I could sense it in its mother's belly from twenty feet away and I wasn't even looking for anything. No particular emotions, just that it existed. It was disturbing."

"That's interesting. Teacher or student?"

"Student. Sixteen, maybe seventeen. I think she must be at least four months along if there was enough brain activity for me to read it. She's probably been able to hide it until now because of winter clothes, but with warm weather and the spring cheer season, she'll be found out soon. I'm worried about her."

"And this is why no one is worried about you using your powers for nefarious purposes. You've just had a momentous breakthrough and your only concern is the well-being of a cheerleader.

"I can't tell you what to do with what you know about her condition, but I can tell the med team what's happened, and they'll add it to the list of glitches to address when you go to train. You are still planning to do that, correct?"

"Yes, Tony. I told you that I would help; I meant that. And I very much want to learn how to control my skills, which means coming to the compound. I just don't want to end up wearing a helmet all the time to keep people out of my head, like that comic book guy, Magnetico or whatever he's called."

"No helmet. No suit. I'm hearing you. I've gotta jet. Take care of yourself, Tiny"

Before she could register her displeasure with the nickname, he was gone.

Ellie spent the weekend debating the best course of action to take with Sasha (she had pulled her file the same day she sensed the pregnancy) the pregnant cheerleader. On Monday she called the girl to her office, sending a slip of paper to her in class instead of calling over the PA system.

"I think you might have called the wrong student, Miss Morris. I don't need to see you."

Looking from the girl's thickening midsection to her face, Ellie said, "Sit down Sasha. I think we do need to have a very serious talk. Don't you?"

Her tone was warm, kind, and understanding. She imagined extending an aura of safety around the frightened girl as she reached out her hand and gestured to the chair. The girl sat down and began to cry.

Sasha agreed to tell her parents, with Ellie present. They were called to the school, met with the counselor and their daughter, and left again with her in tow. Ellie read the frustration, disappointment, and fear in them. There was also a determination to consider all options and make the wisest choice, as well as a deep and supportive love for their daughter. It wouldn't be easy for any of them, but they would weather the storm together as a family.

After managing such a fraught situation, Ellie definitely needed her best friend, and she would worry about how much of her new life to reveal when the time came. She called Kate.